In New York, Tibetan activist Lobga, also known as Lobga Rangzen, died after setting himself ablaze outside the UN headquarters on Thursday evening in what Tibetans describe as a form of non-violent protest.
The law, which came into force on Wednesday, gives Beijing a legal basis to act against people and groups outside China accused of undermining “ethnic unity and progress” or inciting “ethnic separatism”.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said strengthening the rule of law was conducive to protecting the rights and interests of all ethnic groups and enhancing ethnic unity.
“Certain countries cling to ideological bias and, out of political manipulation, turn a blind eye to China’s economic and social development and its achievements in human-rights governance,” Guo said, when asked about US and EU concerns.
“We urge the countries concerned to respect the basic facts, stop spreading lies, and stop hyping up so-called ethnic issues.”
The law, passed in March, seeks to create a “shared” national identity among China’s 55 officially recognised ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans and Uyghurs. Critics say it threatens to accelerate the erasure of minority languages, cultures and religious identities.
Tibetans have also contested being called a minority ethnic group, claiming Tibet was an independent nation of its own before China annexed it in 1959.
Lobga joins a long list of at least 150 Tibetans who have self-immolated in pursuit of freedom in Tibet, though he became the first one to do so in the US.
In a final statement, Lobga said China’s policies in Tibet were aimed at “completely destroying the Tibetan people” and called on Tibetans in exile to unite for Tibet’s struggle.
The International Campaign for Tibet said Lobga had devoted himself to “peacefully raising awareness of the human rights crisis in Tibet” and urged the international community to address what it called worsening repression and forced assimilation in Tibet.
First Published: Jul 3, 2026 2:21 PM IST
